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Jedinak making most of second chance

So many times we see Australian footballers go overseas in search of fame and fortune and end up frustrated, struggling to play in reserves and eventually they return home with their tails between their legs.

So many times we see Australian footballers go overseas in search of fame and fortune and end up frustrated, struggling to play in reserves and eventually they return home with their tails between their legs.

That-s pretty much what happened to Mile Jedinak the first time around, when he went to Croatia several years ago only to return and come back to the NSW State League.

But two years can be a long time in football and Jedinak is now making the most of his second chance at overseas stardom, with his successful move to Turkish club Genclerbirligi in January.

Since arriving in Turkey from Hyundai A-League club Central Coast Mariners, he hasn-t looked back, starting every game since his arrival at the Liga1 club. Hence, Jedinak has certainly broken the trend of having to slug it out before getting the chance and the Socceroos could be the beneficiaries.

“I-ve been there now for three months and played every minute so far of the competition,” he said from the Socceroos Parramatta base. “It-s been a great step for me, I am enjoying my time there and the teams- fortunes have changed a little bit and I am grateful to be a part of that and hopefully we can continue and keep building on it.”

“I-ve settled in there quite comfortably, felt right at home which is great. One thing I wanted to do when I first got here was to settle down as quick as possible and I-ve done that.

“Every game I try to do a little bit more, trying to help the team out as much as I can. I wouldn-t know if there is anything that I-ve changed, but I try to play my own game and do what the coach has asked of me and so far it-s been so good.”

One of the big benefits for Jedinak on arrival, who was arguably the best player in the Hyundai A-League before his departure, was that he joining up with two fellow Aussies in Bruce Djite and James Troisi. Djite is also in camp with the Socceroos after a late call up.

“James and Bruce, I-ve known them now for a while and having them there was a great thing for me and of course it helped me settle in a lot quicker.

“They showed me the ropes and just having them around; we-re always spending time together and it-s always good to have your own people around you. The boys have been fantastic.”

For Jedinak playing for the national team was a key factor in his decision to go to Turkey and so far he feels justified in the decision he took.

“You always have the national on your mind when you make these sorts of decisions and it was a big factor for me. I want to try and play as much as I can for the national team and I felt moving to Turkey that my opportunity would be a lot greater.

“So far it-s been good and hopefully it can go further.”

So does he feel any different joining camp this time around as an overseas player?

“I think it does; you would be silly not to think that. When I did come into camp before, I always saw how the overseas boys were and I do have that feeling now.”

Jedinak has now established himself a place in the Qantas Socceroo squad, but he is the first to admit that a starting berth is still a way off and there are others in front of him.

“I-ve got a lot of competition here; there-s a lot of great players here,” he said. “Carl-s (Carl Valeri) the same age as me we played in the Under 20-s together and he-s come a long way since then and look he-s starting to play already.

“It-s good; it-s what you want (competition for places), as in the future you never know what could happen.

“Football, it-s a funny game, if I get that opportunity, I hope I can cement that chance, but until then there are players in front of me.

“I-m not looking too far ahead of myself, but if given the opportunity, I will try and take it.”

Mile Jedinak is part of the Socceroos squad that is taking on Uzbekistan on Wednesday April 1 at Stadium Australia* in Sydney.

To purchase your tickets, go to www.ticketek.com.au or phone on 132 849 or they can be purchased from all Ticketek outlets.

*ANZ Stadium referred to original name of Stadium Australia, due to rules of Asian Football Confederation.